lO BftADSHAW HALL AND THE BRADSHAWES. 



A feature of Eradshavv is that all the door jambs have been 

 splayed off, both in the same direction, and those of the 

 kitchens are severely treated in this manner. The direction 

 always follows the line of general traffic, and the idea evidently 

 was to cut off the corners and, especially in the case of the 

 kitchens, no doubt to facilitate the carriage of the heavily- 

 laden trenchers to the dining hall. The kitchens are similarly 

 lighted, and the fireplace is contained in a large outside chimney- 

 stack, as shown on the photograph taken from the north-east. 



Returning through the hall to ascend the main staircase, we 

 pass, on the right, under the stairs, a store room or very small 

 cellar, but it is now little lower than the level of the rest of 

 the flooring ; it may, however, have been the entrance to the 

 old cellars, of which more anon. The massive staircase is 

 about 4 ft. in width, and consists of solid oak steps; it is sui> 

 ported by the ancient chimney-stack, and opens into a small 

 landing on the first floor, from which access is given to 'various 

 bedrooms, and through them to others. This landing, which 

 originally was lighted by the usual four-light window, now 

 partially built up, has a remarkable ceiling, cornice, and frieze 

 in plaster work (see illustration). Around the latter, in raised 

 letters, is the following verse or verses : — " : LOVE • GOD • BVT 

 . NOT • GOLD* : A • MAN • WITH • OVT . MERCY • 

 OF . MER • * CY . StHALL • MISS • BVT • HE 

 SH*ALL • HAVE • MERCY • THAT • MERCYFVL • 



IS.*" 



It will be noticed that the words are separated by single 



pellets and the sentences by C(jlons — a custom which, I am 

 told, was observed on the coinage of the period. The proverbs 

 have a biblical ring, but the Concordance does not assist one's 

 memory to find them in the Bible, nor are they known to 

 Dr. Cox in his extended ecclesiastical researches. The first, 

 however, suggests a Puritanic variant for " Love God and honour 

 the King," and the second would seem to be the favourite motto 

 of the Bradshawes, for it is carved on the bedstead of President 



* At these points occur the angles of the walls. 

 t This letter is ahnost obUterated. 



